Students and teachers should not be forced to participate in religious activities that go against their beliefs, while schools will be required to properly account for money collected from parents under the Education Act 2026.
Principal Education Officer Amini Voresara highlighted these requirements during the Ministry of Representatives' public consultation at the Lami Parish Catholic Hall.
Voresara says schools must respect the religious beliefs of all students and teachers, regardless of the school's religious affiliation.
He says even in faith-based schools, students and teachers who follow a different religion should not be required to participate in religious activities against their beliefs.
Voresara cites Catholic schools as an example, saying teachers who are not Catholic should not be forced to attend religious activities against their wishes.
He says the same principle applies to students from different religious backgrounds.
Voresara stresses that schools must respect individual beliefs and ensure everyone is treated fairly.
Meanwhile, the Principal Education Officer says schools will also be required to properly account for money collected from parents, including building and sports levies.
He says school management teams and heads of schools must ensure that all money collected is properly recorded and used for its intended purpose.
Voresara says schools cannot introduce levies without approval, as requests for building and sports levies must go through the Permanent Secretary for Education.
He says money collected from parents for a building project must be used for that project and cannot be diverted to social activities or other purposes.
Voresara stresses that school management teams and heads of schools will be held accountable if funds are misused.
He says all schools, including boarding schools, will also be required to prepare annual financial reports and submit them to the Ministry of Education.
Voresara says concerns have been raised about schools collecting money from parents without proper approval or accountability.
He says some schools have collected funds several times a year without obtaining the necessary approval.
The Principal Education Officer also stresses that parents and guardians cannot be forced to contribute to school fundraising activities.
He says all fundraising contributions must be voluntary, even when fundraising activities have been approved.
Voresara adds that parents who choose not to contribute must not be treated unfairly.
He says the new requirements aim to protect individual rights, strengthen financial accountability and ensure schools treat students, teachers and parents fairly.
The Education Act 2026 is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2027.
